Day 1 Off to another Grand Adventure

As we cruised along enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery we happened upon a fellow traveler. This sea lion was quick to give us a cheery wave as we sailed on and allowed him to sunbathe in peace.

Day 1, June 18, 2009. Off to a wonderful start on our Grand Adventure in the Sea of Cortez.

Day 2 of our 2009 Sea of Cortez adventure

It was a gorgeous morning as we awoke and got going in Caleta Partida. This anchorage separates the two islands, Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida. The water was such a stunning turquoise that was unfortunately unable to be replicated with a digital camera.

This is the coastline of Baja as we made our way north.

Ready Just In Case

I forgot to put this into the next post but didn't want to leave it out entirely.

This is Argo's dinghy with all the 'necessities' we didn't want to abandon ship without.

The dinghy sits on the back cabin on Argo.

Day 3 Controlled Disaster at Sea

Saturday, the 20th of June, 2009. Another day I will long, long remember. We were cruising along the coastline of Baja California when we had major problems develop with hose lines erupting and spraying gallons and gallons of sea water throughout our engine room. Not only did the approximately 1500 gallons of water, weighing approximately 6 tons, cause our bow to sink, but effectively caused us to lose ALL power to Argo. No power, no way to make the emergency bilge pump work to pump all that excess water overboard. No alternator, no engine, no transmission, and no radio to call for assistance. I was at the helm and Ron told me to steer for the dark reddish rocks in this photo in case we had to 'beach' Argo. We were SINKING.

Ron out by the dinghy which has been loaded with our most precious possessions, official papers, and survival equipment. With our 2 onboard radios requiring power and thus not working, we were left with the portable radio which was found not to be working either. Thank God Ron had hailed Sea-tacean when alerted to the problems down below. ---Before we lost our power systems.

This is a wonderful sight to my distressed eyes! Sea-tacean, with Archie and Bev aboard, coming to our rescue. Not only did they have a portable generator to use with our emergency bilge pump but they had a radio. When Bev spotted a power boat off in the far distance she was able to hail it and more help was soon in sight.

This is the sport fishing boat "Catchin' Memories" who came to help with the rescue of Argo. They had an extra pump for the overflowing bilges below, and were also gracious, and powerful, enough to tow us the 80 nautical miles back to La Paz.

This is yet another sight of the rugged, barren, yet beautiful landscrape we were cruising alongside. Beautiful, yes, but nowhere to be stranded.

Many, many, thanks, muchas, muchas gracias to Bev and Archie on Sea-Tacean and Kevin, his wife and 3 daughters on Catchin' Memories for saving our day . . . and so much more. I'd say we were all 'catchin' a few memories' that day.

Tulips in Dorothy Bell's Fairfield backyard

A day or so before I left Fairfield at the end of April, I tried my luck at memorializing the incredible tulip display in Dorothy Bell's back yard. What color!

"Pelicanos" by Lila Magallon

Anyone who has read much of this blog at all has surely realized that I have a 'thing' for pelicans, or pelicanos as they are called here. I find they are the most fascinating creatures! And I found, and met, an artist who shares that fascination. Her name is Lila Magallon and she co-owns the lovely Galleria Gato Negro next to the Bistrot Francais in La Paz. Yesterday after having a delightful meal at the Bistrot I wandered into Lila's galleria. I gazed approvingly over the 10 or so other major pieces of artwork displayed. But my heart had already been captured, in an instant, by the colors and the movement and, of course, the subject of this most wonderful piece. Having no place for such a beauty on Argo, I was resigned to taking a photograph. Lila generously consented to my desire to photograph that which I could not possess. Thank you so much, Lila.

In all fairness I must mention that the photograph is but a poor reproduction of the real artwork. Very poor reproduction, but it is certainly better than relying on my memory. I can also share, though poorly, the beauty of this work through this posting.

Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

Around the back corner of the lot where the new cathedral is being raised I found this shrine to the Lady in whose honor the new cathedral is being built.

Catedral in the Making

I was on a Friday 'walkabout' when I decided to check out the progress of the building of the new Cathedral here in La Paz. I knew that some services were already being held here, but, of course, no work was being done during the services. But I was quite surprised to find that even while work is being done, visitors are not restricted from viewing. At their own risk, to be sure. In the States casual 'looky lous' would have been restricted to being kept behind a fence a quarter mile away from the work I was watching. But no one paid me any attention as I wandered all over the cleared sanctuary where an enormous crane was lifting the sections of the dome high over my head. As the sections were being welded in place by the safety belted welders, I was free to watch and photograph even as balls of welding sparks fell silently to my feet. It was my decision to be there and quite understood that I took the risks and responsibilities for my safety totally upon myself.

Individual beams for the dome were probably 10 feet long. I watched as the beam was tied onto the lifting wire. Approximating midway. It was a bit off so a rope was attached at one end to help with balance. Ten feet off the ground and it was obvious that it was still off balance by too much. The beam was lowered and the rope moved a bit. Another moment and it was ascending past the figure of Jesus on the cross.

Before visiting Florence and Rome 3 years ago, I read the incredible stories of Brunelleschi and Michelangelo and their frustrations and triumphs in building the wondrous domes on the Cathedrals of those respective Renaissance cities. I had been overwhelmed by the sites in person. On a smaller scale, in a different century, yet another miracle of dome construction is underway.

From a Distance

Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe has been underway for more than 10 years now. A great deal remains to be done as is evidenced by the photos.

It was so incredible to me to view this Cathedral in the making. I have walked through many cathedrals in Europe. Many of them took hundreds of years to build. Modern engineering methods have greatly reduced the time to raise these wondrous structures, but it is inspiring to note the work of the individual men who scamper among the beams on the unfinished dome.

This is a mock up of the finished Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. ( Catedral de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe ) She is off to a grand start. It will be a continually rewarding experience to watch as this great structure and this project comes to fruition.

Charming Pelican Charm

Wednesday afternoon I spent along the San Diego Embarcadero and that led, naturally, to Seaport Village. Seaport Village is a congregation of several dozen delightful little specialty shops, all geared toward the discrimating tourist. Or anyone willing to part with extra bills cluttering their wallets.

Almost done in after a whirlwind spree through this tract of boutiques I headed toward home -- or the motel as it happened to be. A jewelry store caught my eye. Not usually one to cross the threshold of such establishments, I never-the-less found myself heading in just that direction. A 'sale' sign beckoned me further.

Once inside I quickly browsed the displayed merchandise. Fine jewelry, and the prices for the same, do not lend me to squandering much time or energy to close observation -- usually. Then I was astounded when I caught sight of this wondrous pelican, or pelicano, as I have come to call them. ( My Spanish vocabulary at work. ) For the last two years I have been on the lookout for a replica of my favorite marine bird, in sterling silver, preferably, in such a size to find a comfortable home on my Tilley hat. Or neck - hung on an appropriate chain. All for a price I was quite comfortable with as well. SOLD

The main portion of the pelican is sterling silver and the blue is Australian opal. So I was informed by the most helpful sales person.